In what would be China’s very first animal welfare law, Chinese lawmakers have proposed a ban on dog and cat meat for human consumption. As China’s pet-loving middle class continues to grow, attitudes towards eating dogs and cats are changing. Still, the law remains controversial since dog meat and cat meat are traditional dishes in certain areas. Also, others think it’s ridiculous to fret about animal rights when other issues like poverty and unemployment are still prevalent.
According to the proposed law, people who eat dog or cat meat can be fined up to 5,000 yuan ($730) and 15 days’ detention. And if you’re found selling the meat, you could be fined anywhere from 10,000 yuan ($1,460) to 500,000 yuan ($73,190).
I actually tried dog meat in China many years ago, and I had a pet doggy at the time too. For some reason, it didn’t really bother me that I was eating dog, except for the fact that it gave me the worst food poisoning ever. Maybe we really aren’t meant to eat our furry friends!
(Thanks, Dunks)
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I tried it once in Saigon, Vietnam a few years back. It was a 5-course entree. The experience was . . . interesting enough for me to write a chapter entitled, “Dawg Eat Dog” in my memoir “I Love Yous Are For White People”. I’ll tell you what, I wouldn’t eat it again. When in Rome.
The advisory propsal from China Academy of Social Science has opt-in language to accomidate China’s diverse regional culture and custom, so it’s not an outright ban.
BTW, the protest signs are cute but very poorly reasoned. They mention love animals and against cruelty, but only applies to dog and cats. What about other more traditional food animals? They’re chopped liver, I guess.